Marysville Globe

Marysville Getchell teachers earn honors

From left, Andrea France of the Academy of Construction and Engineering, Kris Mikesell of the School for the Entrepreneur, Emily Lefstad of the International School of Communications, and Jennifer McReynolds of the Bio-Med Academy all received Outstanding Educator Awards from the Marysville PTSA Council. / Courtesy Photo

MARYSVILLE — Four Marysville Getchell High School teachers recently received Outstanding Educator Awards from the Marysville PTSA Council.

Andrea France of the Academy of Construction and Engineering, Kris Mike sell of the School for the Entrepreneur, Emily Lefstad of the International School of Communications, and Jennifer McReynolds of the Bio-Med Academy were all honored at the annual awards banquet on Tuesday, May 21, at the Comcast Events Center.

France involved students who can’t afford to take part in after-school sports in a program called “Intramurals,” which takes place after school on days when school lets out early,

“This has had a tremendous impact on the spirit of the students, by giving them healthy competition and the opportunity to try new things,” said Sandra Duplessis, president of the Marysville Getchell PTSA. “It helps to foster school pride, and has increased their desire to do well in school.”

“Students of all ability levels are active and develop relationships in a fun and safe environment,” ACE Principal Shawn Stevenson said.

SFE Principal Dave Rose singled out Mikesell for sponsoring the annual Holiday Bazaar to help support the school’s Future Business Leaders of America.

“This event has grown out of several existing spaces, and now occupies the entire Charger Outlet and gymnasium,” said Rose, who noted that Mikesell successfully led the charge to host FBLA’s regional student meeting on the Marysville Getchell campus in 2012. “With more than 100 vendors, it is an event the community looks forward to each December.”

Duplessis summed up Lefstad as an educator who doesn’t limit her assistance to her students to the confines of her classes.

“Emily takes on special time for students who want to be challenged with higher level thinking,” Duplessis said. “She goes far beyond teacher hours to help her students graduate on time, and has her door open for both the principal and students.”

Among McReynolds’ other accomplishments, she was lauded by Bio-Med Academy Principal Angela Delgado for her volunteer work with the Kiwanis Key Club, as its adult mentor and advisor on the Marysville Getchell campus.

“Jennifer is in constant communication with students, and opens her door to any and all students long before the start of the day, during the entire lunch period and after school,” said Delgado, who added that McReynolds has also worked to have her Key Club students formally recognized at PTSA meetings. “Jennifer also communicates with parents on a regular basis, updating her grades every two weeks, and sending out individual progress reports home with students.”